Monthly Newsletter

A newsletter published by the
Macalester Environmental Studies Department

May 7, 2024

Any upcoming events, job opportunities, conferences, or other environmental news received by the ES Department are included in this newsletter. More information on the items listed in This Just In! can be received by contacting the ES Department. Current and archived issues.

In This Issue….

1.  Volunteer Event at Hidden Falls Regional Park – June 1
2.  Opportunities with Common Tides
3.  Summer Institute for Climate Change Education Conference – July 15-16
4.  Hennepin County Opportunities
5.  MN Association of Environmental Professionals Scholarship
6.  Urban Forestry Internship
7.  Turning Green Internship
8.  Opportunities Available with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby
9.  Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake

1.  Volunteer Event at Hidden Falls Regional Park – June 1

Dive into conservation with Great River Greening at Hidden Falls Regional Park on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 9-12 noon, planting wild strawberries and waterleaf for native ground cover.  These species are resilient to mowing and bloom early spring flowers critical for bees just waking up from the winter. Join them for a morning of community and environmental stewardship, followed by lunch for all volunteers. This event is an opportunity for students of all ages to make a tangible difference and engage with nature right here in Ramsey County.

Questions?  Contact Jessica Drummon, Outreach Coordinator, [email protected], 651-272-3989.

2.  Opportunities with Common Tides

Common Tides is a nonprofit organization providing free marine science education and sail programs for disadvantaged youth in order to promote knowledge, protection, and an understanding of the marine environment.  They are offering leadership opportunities in the following areas:

• Marine Education Expedition – provides free marine science and sailing programs to local children that are experiencing disadvantages and is open to all genders and majors. Instructors, many of whom are college students, volunteer their time, and the position meets internships and service learning requirements.

• Women’s Leadership Expedition – an immersive, experiential program that is centered around leadership education and stewardship with a focus on providing women the knowledge to become the optimal version of themselves as a conscious leader.

Questions?  Contact Mike Smith, Executive Director, at [email protected] or 610-781-2053.

3.  Summer Institute for Climate Change Education Conference – July 15-16

4.  Hennepin County Opportunities

Environmental Educator

The Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department is seeking a full-time Environmental Educator to implement environmental awareness and outreach strategies for department programs, including zero waste, climate action, and protecting natural resources. The Environmental Education and Outreach unit is responsible for educating the community on department services, raising awareness about environmental issues, engaging with the community to understand how environmental issues impact them, encouraging environmental stewardship, and motivating people to act individually and collectively to preserve and enhance the environment for future generations.

Location and hours:  This position is hybrid and will be performed both onsite at the 701 Building at 701 Fourth Avenue South, Suite 700, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional evenings and weekends for community events and meetings.

 This is a full-time, benefit earning position. This position is internally classified as an Administrative Assistant. Click here to view the job classification specification.

Hennepin County Contaminated Lands Specialist

The Hennepin County Environment and Energy Department (EED) is seeking an experienced Senior Environmentalist to coordinate environmental assessment and cleanup activities at county project sites, provide technical assistance for environmental and contamination risk management and regulatory compliance, and assist with the administration of environmental grant and loan programs as part of its Contaminated Lands Program.

Environmental Sustainability Academy: 5-Week Training

A paid 5-week training session to open doors to lucrative careers in the green economy. Registration is not yet open for the next session. If you would like to be notified when registration opens for their next 5-week training, please click here to join the email list. Produced in partnership with Center for Energy and Environment and Xcel Energy. 

5.  MN Association of Environmental Professionals Scholarship

Each year, the Minnesota Association of Environmental Professionals (MNAEP) accepts scholarship applications for new or current undergraduate students majoring in some form of environmental studies. If you are attending college this fall and looking to become a future environmental professional, consider submitting an application. They will pick one lucky person to receive $500.

6.  Urban Forestry Internship

Want the best internship in the WORLD! You get to hang out under trees all day, cool breeze, and save trees. Do you love plants and trees? How about learning? Experience urban forestry and the opportunity to work with homeowners on saving their trees working for Save The Ash Tree Co. This is a summer internship 30-40 hours per week. No experience necessary. Position runs June-September.

Duties:

• Inspect trees for emerald ash borer, oak wilt, or dutch elms disease
• Treat for Insects and Disease on trees
• Root fertilize trees and shrubs
• Consult homeowners on the best management options for their plants
• Learn and apply proper tree injection techniques
• Treatment and control of invasive trees and shrubs

To apply.

7.  Turning Green Internship

Turning Green educates, empowers, and mobilizes youth to advance climate solutions in their lives, school campuses, and local communities by engaging elementary through graduate-level students as catalysts for sustainable change and positive social and environmental impact. If you are a college, grad student or young professional interested in being a leader in the movement for a healthy, just and thriving planet and future, they invite you to apply for one of their internship positions. Summer Session runs from May 2024 through September 2024.

All interns must be available to work Monday through Friday from 9am – 1pm Pacific Time during the summer session.

They have several areas of focus for their internships, including:

• Communications
• Project Green Challenge
• Conscious Kitchen
• Organization Support

To apply, please submit an internship application.

8.  Opportunities Available with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby

The  Citizens’ Climate Lobby/Citizens’ Climate Education (CCL). CCL is a national nonprofit organization that builds grassroots support for climate legislation. For students looking to deepen their learning outside of the classroom, they offer a free Climate Advocacy Certificate Program each semester. This provides valuable transferable skills in advocacy, climate science, and communication over the course of a 15-week remote course. Students interested in enrolling in next semester’s program should sign up by May 7 using the link above, or they can email Steffanie Munguia, [email protected], to be added to the course through May 14.

They will soon be recruiting students and recent graduates to join their team as interns or fellows in the fall. Each semester, they have opportunities with a variety of different departments that may appeal to students across many disciplines. These experiences provide valuable work experience, networking opportunities, and may include academic or financial benefits. All openings will be posted on their website on May 15.